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D'Andre Swift vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

D'Andre Swift is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.2 PPG to James Conner's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

D'Andre Swift is the better fantasy play this season.

D'Andre Swift is the better play on a neutral week. 13.2 PPG with 1,386 yards gives a reliable baseline. James Conner at 11.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft D'Andre Swift higher, but do not fade James Conner entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBChicago Bears#16PPG LEADER
D'Andre Swift
PPG
13.2
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,087
Rush TDs
9
Rec
34
Rec Yds
299
Bye
Week 10
RBArizona Cardinals#99
James Conner
PPG
11.0
Games
14
Rush Yds
752
Rush TDs
5
Rec
28
Rec Yds
218
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
D'Andre Swift
James Conner

Head to Head

13.2 PPG11.0 PPG
16 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

D'Andre Swift: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #16 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, D'Andre Swift is producing at 60% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means D'Andre Swift carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

D'Andre Swift vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between D'Andre Swift and James Conner is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Chicago Bears running back put up 13.2 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals averaged 11.0 in 14. A 2.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.2 points favors D'Andre Swift, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. D'Andre Swift ran for 1087 yards and 9 touchdowns; James Conner posted 752 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: D'Andre Swift sits Week 10 while James Conner is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: D'Andre Swift (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • D'Andre Swift outscored James Conner by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • D'Andre Swift played 16 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means D'Andre Swift contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • D'Andre Swift scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • D'Andre Swift caught 34 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

D'Andre Swift vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatD'Andre SwiftJames Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)13.211.0
Games Played1614
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)211154
Rushing Yards1,087752
Rush Yds/Game67.953.7
Rushing TDs95
Receptions3428
Receiving Yards299218
Targets480
Total TDs106
Age27-
Experience5 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 11

Summary

13.2 PPG for D'Andre Swift versus 11.0 for James Conner in 2025. The baseline favors D'Andre Swift, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start D'Andre Swift or James Conner in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, D'Andre Swift has the edge at 13.2 PPG compared to James Conner's 11.0 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did D'Andre Swift and James Conner average in 2025?

D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are D'Andre Swift and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?

D'Andre Swift (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is D'Andre Swift or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?

D'Andre Swift outscored James Conner by 2.2 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.

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